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Over 15 backdrop frames, Osgood Perkins, the filmmaker, deftly hides the devil in the film. Often seen in shadows or reflections, these minute details are meant to put spectators on edge and give the already tense environment a disturbing element. Pay close attention to the backgrounds of every scene—especially during pivotal suspenseful or revealing moments—to find these minute elements.
The devil's appearance acts as a graphic depiction of the widespread evil Agent Harker's inquiry haunts. It represents the sinister powers at work affecting the killer as well as others around him. The devil's appearance emphasizes the supernatural component of the movie and gives the psychological thriller parts a terrible twist. It underlines that an evil presence might hide just out of sight in everyday environments and wait for its opportunity to attack.
The devil's subdued appearances cause viewers to be constantly uncomfortable since they remind them that danger is always there, even if it seems to be nowhere. Often accompanied with important situations, these times of anxiety heighten the suspense and give even apparently ordinary events sinister meaning. Perkins heightens the general suspense and keeps the viewers on edge by sprinkling this minute horror aspect throughout the movie.
Though it doesn't directly control events, the devil's appearance is a potent emblem of the impact of evil. It suggests a more nefarious, deeper power motivating the killer's activities. Often coinciding with times of disclosure or increased suspense, the devil's appearances imply that his existence is linked to the events as they are developing. Viewers are left wondering about the whole degree of the devil's influence, so the movie gains a dimension of mystery and suspense.
Agent Harker's experience with the devil's presence sharpens her discomfort and strengthens her bond to the case. The devil's presence reminds us always of the sneaky character of the evil she is against. This influences her research and forces her to face her own past pain and explore the occult realm more thoroughly. Her path gains personal relevance from the devil's presence, therefore emphasizing the psychological toll that battling evil causes on her.
Although one can read the devil's existence symbolically, it is also shown as a physical, supernatural being. It captures the essence of evil that penetrates the narrative, therefore inducing anxiety and discomfort. The movie leaves space for several readings by examining both the psychological and supernatural elements of horror. Nevertheless, whether one sees the devil literally or symbolically, his presence adds a different kind of anxiety.